Crochet for kids

When I saw my granddaughter delighted with a dolphin designed candle-holder (that she didn't hold for she knows its breakable), I thought of making her this pair of dolphins, a mama and a baby dolphin that she can easily hold and play with. I was right, she loved playing with it.

amigurumi dolphins

Little kids are easy to please - make them a toy and they will surely be delighted. However, they also get easily attracted to new toys and after a short while get bored with their old toys. This doesn't discourage me from making toys for my granddaughter...I just make sure she'll like what I make, and she won't find anything else like it. Hopefully she will remember how much she enjoyed what I made for her when she's grown up.

nana made me toy dolphins

When my sons make a request for me to make them something, I really try my best to do so...since they don't often make requests. So, recently my son wanted a hand-puppet animal for him and my granddaughter to play with. They both liked watching the Madagascar movies and so he asked if I could make the 4 animals who starred in the movie. Ok I said, not knowing how to go about it. What is the most loved animal there - the lion, of course. I could first make that and see how it goes. After a lot of experimenting, I was happy with the final result. Everyone thinks its good...my granddaughter will be so surprised when she sees it for the first time.

Crocheted Lion of Madagascar Handpuppet

Hearts Flower - free crochet pattern

Just in time for Valentines, I saw a fabric flower with heart-shaped petals, and got inspired to make a crochet version. So here is the simple crochet design that I came up with as a Valentine treat for my fellow crocheters. Most any yarn and corresponding hook can be used for this pattern.

Hearts Flower
by Mimi Alelis copyright 2017
Note: This pattern is for personal use only, not for distribution and not to be posted on any other site. 
Original link: http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2017/02/hearts-flower-free-crochet-pattern.html

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn, I used Premier Cotton yarn
Crochet Hook size 4mm
Finished size: 2.5 inches in diameter

Flower
Rnd 1: Start with magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc in  ring, join with sl st to first sc. 
Rnd 2: (Ch 1, sc in sc, turn, ch 2, 4 dc in sc, turn, ch 2, dc2tog, ch 1, sl st in next dc, ch 2, dc2tog, ch 1 sl st on top of turning ch 2 of previous row, 2 sl st at the side of dc row, sl st at the base of petal, sl st on the next sc) rep 5 times, making 5 petals. Fasten off, leaving 6" tail for sewing, if making this as an embellishment.
Center (optional - you may instead sew a button in the center of the flower)
With contrasting color yarn, make a magic ring, ch 2, 4-dc cluster in ring, fasten off leaving a 6" tail for sewing. Pull both ends tight, knot together, sew in center of flower. Weave in loose ends.

Pretty Puppy Cellphone Charm ;)

Here's what I made yesterday :) 

I've been hooked on the amigurumi Dachshund that I designed. But this time I used one strand of 4-ply cotton thread and size 3mm hook. You can see in the photo the yarn I used and just a small amount of yarn was needed. Given the same pattern, it is really more difficult to make a smaller item. But if you haven't noticed yet, I do have a fondness for miniatures ;) (My collection of crocheted mini projects can be seen here.)

Anyway, for the latest on my Amigurumi Dachshund pattern, please follow my other blog Crocheting with Cannon Threads.

And to brighten up our day, here's a close-up of the Pretty Puppy cellphone charm :)

Apple keychain and mini mittens

Time to blog some finished projects, since its nearing the end of January (already!)...
My sister's knitted scarf is almost done, but its taking me so long - seems harder to pick up needles :p But I have finished and mailed to her the crochet slippers she requested:



Other than that I have three little FOs to show you now.

These mini mittens were based from a Japanese design. I haven't written the pattern yet, but will get to it. I'd just have to figure out the thumb part all over again...



While browsing on Ravelry, I found a lot of patterns for booties, some are free. So I picked this pattern and here's what I made:



I will be trying out other patterns and maybe I could make another one for my grandniece. Incidentally, here she is the latest addition to our clan, born on Jan. 12:


The other little item is this apple keychain. I have a pattern for this and it will be posted soon. This will also come out as a free pattern leaflet from Coats Manila Bay :)